Methods to form top contact to a magnetic tunnel junction

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for fabricating structures used in memory devices. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for fabricating magnetic tunnel junction structures in memory devices.

Magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) is a type of memory device containing an array of MRAM cells that store data using their resistance values instead of electronic charges. Generally, each MRAM cell includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure. The MTJ structure may have adjustable resistance to represent a logic state “0” or “1.” The MTJ structure typically includes two ferromagnetic layers separated by a thin non-magnetic layer, e.g., a tunnel barrier layer. A top contact layer and a bottom contact layer are utilized to sandwich the MTJ structure so electric current may flow through the MTJ structure.

The layers of the MTJ structure are typically deposited sequentially as overlying blanketed films. The layers are subsequently patterned by various etching processes in which one or more layers are removed, either partially or totally, in order to form the MTJ structure. However, the etching processes can damage the MTJ structure and can lead to bad electrical contact to the top electrode.

Accordingly, an improved method for forming the MTJ structure is needed.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for fabricating structures used in memory devices. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for fabricating MTJ structures in memory devices. In one embodiment, a method including forming a magnetic tunnel junction structure on a first contact layer, depositing an encapsulating layer on a top and sides of the magnetic tunnel junction structure, removing the encapsulating layer disposed on the top of the magnetic tunnel junction by a chemical mechanical planarization process to expose the top of the magnetic tunnel junction structure, and depositing a second contact layer on the magnetic tunnel junction structure.

In another embodiment, a method includes forming a magnetic tunnel junction structure on a first contact layer, depositing an encapsulating layer on a top and sides of the magnetic tunnel junction structure, depositing a dielectric material on the encapsulating layer, removing the dielectric material and the encapsulating layer disposed on the top of the magnetic tunnel junction by a chemical mechanical planarization process to expose the top of the magnetic tunnel junction structure, and depositing a second contact layer on the magnetic tunnel junction structure.

In another embodiment, a method includes forming a magnetic tunnel junction structure on a first contact layer, depositing an encapsulating layer on a top and sides of the magnetic tunnel junction structure, the encapsulating layer comprising silicon carbon nitride, depositing a dielectric material on the encapsulating layer, removing a portion of the dielectric material and a portion of the encapsulating layer to form a via and a trench on top of the via, the top of the magnetic tunnel junction structure being exposed, and depositing a second contact layer in the trench and the via.

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, and may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for forming a structure.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of the structure during different stages of the method of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for forming a structure.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of the structure during different stages of the method of FIG. 3 .

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for fabricating structures used in memory devices. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for fabricating MTJ structures in memory devices. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a MTJ structure, depositing a encapsulating layer on a top and sides of the MTJ structure, depositing a dielectric material on the encapsulating layer, removing the dielectric material and the encapsulating layer disposed on the top of the MTJ structure by a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process to expose the top of the MTJ structure, and depositing a contact layer on the MTJ structure. The method utilizes a CMP process to expose the top of the MTJ structure instead of an etching process, which avoids damaging the MTJ structure and leads to improved electrical contact between the MTJ structure and the contact layer.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method 100 for forming a structure 200 . FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of the structure 200 during different stages of the method 100 of FIG. 1 . The method 100 starts at operation 102 by forming a MTJ structure 204 as shown in FIG. 2A . The MTJ structure 204 is formed on a contact layer 202 . The contact layer 202 is fabricated from an electrically conductive material, such as a metal. For example, the contact layer 202 is fabricated from copper, cobalt, tungsten, tantalum, tantalum nitride, titanium, titanium nitride, tungsten nitride or other suitable material. The MTJ structure 204 includes a first magnetic layer 206 , a non-magnetic layer 208 disposed over the first magnetic layer 206 , a second magnetic layer 210 disposed over the non-magnetic layer 208 , and a cap layer 212 disposed over the second magnetic layer 210 . The first magnetic layer 206 and the second magnetic layer 210 are fabricated from a ferromagnetic material, such as a metal alloy with dopants, such as boron dopants, oxygen dopants or other suitable materials. Metal alloys may be a nickel containing material, platinum containing material, Ru containing material, a cobalt containing material, tantalum containing materials and palladium containing materials. Suitable examples of the ferromagnetic materials include Ru, Ta, Co, Pt, TaN, NiFeOx, NiFeB, CoFeOxB, CoFeB, CoFe, NiOxB, CoBOx, FeBOx, CoFeNiB, CoPt, CoPd, TaOx and the like. The non-magnetic layer 208 may be fabricated from a dielectric material for a tunnel junction magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor or from a conductive material for a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor. If the MTJ structure 204 is a TMR sensor, the non-magnetic layer 208 is fabricated from MgO, HfO 2 , TiO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , Al 2 O 3 , or other suitable material. If the MTJ structure 204 is a GMR sensor, the non-magnetic layer 208 is fabricated from copper, silver, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, or other suitable material. The cap layer 212 may be fabricated from ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum nitride, tungsten nitride, titanium nitride, magnesium oxide, or other suitable material.

The layers 206 , 208 , 210 , 212 of the MTJ structure 204 may be blanket deposited sequentially on the contact layer 202 and subsequently patterned by one or more etching processes. The deposition processes may be any suitable processes, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process (PECVD) process, and/or physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. The etching processes may be any suitable etching processes, such as reactive ion etching (RIE) processes.

Next, at operation 104 , an encapsulating layer 214 is deposited on a top 213 and sides 215 of the MTJ structure 204 , as shown in FIG. 2B . The encapsulating layer 214 is fabricated from a dielectric material. The encapsulating layer 214 may be fabricated from a nitrogen containing material, carbon containing material, or oxide containing material. Suitable exemplary materials for forming the encapsulating layer 214 includes silicon nitride (SiN), silicon carbon nitride (SiCN), silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), silicon carbide (SiC), amorphous carbon, silicon oxycarbide (SiOC), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), aluminum nitride (AlN), and the like. The encapsulating layer 214 may be formed by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, and the encapsulating layer 214 may be a conformal layer.

Next, at operation 106 , a dielectric material 216 is deposited on the encapsulating layer 214 , as shown in FIG. 2C . The dielectric material 216 may be the inter-layer dielectric (ILD) and may be fabricated from an oxide, such as silicon oxide. At operation 108 , a portion of the dielectric material 216 disposed over the top 213 of the MTJ structure 204 and a portion of the encapsulating layer 214 disposed on the top 213 of the MTJ structure 204 are removed by a CMP process to expose the top 213 of the MTJ structure 204 , as shown in FIG. 2D . The sides 215 of the MTJ structure 204 remain covered by the encapsulating layer 214 . Unlike the conventional etching process utilized to expose the MTJ structure 204 , the CMP process avoids damaging the MTJ structure 204 and leads to improved electrical contact between the MTJ structure 204 and a contact layer 218 (See FIG. 2E ).

Next, at operation 110 , the contact layer 218 is deposited on the top 213 of the MTJ structure 204 , as shown in FIG. 2E . The contact layer 218 may be fabricated from the same material as the contact layer 202 . The contact layer 218 may be disposed on the encapsulating layer 214 and the dielectric material 216 . The contact layer 218 may be first blanket deposited and subsequently patterned by an etching process.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method 300 for forming a structure 400 . FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of the structure 400 during different stages of the method 300 of FIG. 3 . The method 300 starts at operation 302 by forming a MTJ structure 404 as shown in FIG. 4A . The MTJ structure 404 is formed on a contact layer 402 . The contact layer 402 is fabricated from an electrically conductive material, such as a metal. The contact layer 402 may be fabricated from the same material as the contact layer 202 as shown in FIG. 2A . The MTJ structure 404 includes a first magnetic layer 406 , a non-magnetic layer 408 disposed over the first magnetic layer 406 , a second magnetic layer 410 disposed over the non-magnetic layer 408 , and a cap layer 412 disposed over the second magnetic layer 410 . The first magnetic layer 406 and the second magnetic layer 410 are fabricated from a ferromagnetic material, such as a metal alloy with dopants, such as boron dopants, oxygen dopants or other suitable materials. Metal alloys may be a nickel containing material, platinum containing material, Ru containing material, a cobalt containing material, tantalum containing materials and palladium containing materials. Suitable examples of the ferromagnetic materials include Ru, Ta, Co, Pt, TaN, NiFeOx, NiFeB, CoFeOxB, CoFeB, CoFe, NiOxB, CoBOx, FeBOx, CoFeNiB, CoPt, CoPd, TaOx and the like. The non-magnetic layer 408 may be fabricated from a dielectric material for a TMR sensor or from a conductive material for a GMR sensor. If the MTJ structure 404 is a TMR sensor, the non-magnetic layer 408 is fabricated from MgO, HfO 2 , TiO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , Al 2 O 3 , or other suitable material. If the MTJ structure 404 is a GMR sensor, the non-magnetic layer 408 is fabricated from copper, silver, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, or other suitable material. The cap layer 412 may be fabricated from ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum nitride, tungsten nitride, titanium nitride, magnesium oxide, or other suitable material.

The layers 406 , 408 , 410 , 412 of the MTJ structure 404 may be blanket deposited sequentially on the contact layer 402 and subsequently patterned by one or more etching processes. The deposition processes may be any suitable processes, such as CVD process, PECVD process, and/or PVD process. The etching processes may be any suitable etching processes, such as RIE processes.

Next, at operation 304 , an encapsulating layer 414 is deposited on a top 413 and sides 415 of the MTJ structure 404 , as shown in FIG. 4B . The encapsulating layer 414 is fabricated from a dielectric material having a good etch selectivity against a dielectric material 416 ( FIG. 4C ). In one embodiment, the encapsulating layer 414 is fabricated from SiCN. The encapsulating layer 414 may be formed by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, and the encapsulating layer 414 may be a conformal layer.

Next, at operation 306 , the dielectric material 416 is deposited on the encapsulating layer 414 , as shown in FIG. 4C . The dielectric material 416 may be the ILD and may be fabricated from an oxide, such as silicon oxide. The dielectric material 416 may be planarized by a CMP process. At operation 308 , a portion of the dielectric material 416 disposed over the top 413 of the MTJ structure 404 and surrounding the sides 415 of the MTJ structure 404 are removed by one or more etch processes, as shown in FIG. 4D . The one or more etch processes also remove a portion of the encapsulating layer 414 disposed on the top 413 of the MTJ structure 404 , and the top 413 of the MTJ structure 404 is exposed. In one embodiment, a single etch process is performed to remove the portion of the dielectric material 416 and the portion of the encapsulating layer 414 , and an opening 418 is formed. In another embodiment, a dual damascene process is performed that includes a first etch process to form a via 420 and a second etch process to form a trench 422 over the via 420 , as shown in FIG. 4D . The sides 415 of the MTJ structure 404 remain covered by the encapsulating layer 414 . Because the encapsulating layer 414 is fabricated from a dielectric material having a good etch selectivity against the dielectric material 416 (i.e., having a much slower etch rate compared to the dielectric material 416 ), the MTJ structure 404 is not damaged during the etching of the dielectric material 416 .

Next, at operation 310 , the contact layer 424 is deposited in the opening 418 (or via 420 and trench 422 ) and on the top 413 of the MTJ structure 404 , as shown in FIG. 4E . The contact layer 424 may be fabricated from the same material as the contact layer 402 . The contact layer 424 may be formed by an electrochemical plating (ECP) process. The contact layer 424 may be planarized by a CMP process to be co-planar with the dielectric material 416 .

By using a CMP process to expose the MTJ structure, the MTJ structure is not damaged. Alternatively, by using a material that has a good etch selectivity against the inter-layer dielectric as the encapsulating layer, removal of the inter-layer dielectric to expose the MTJ structure by an etch process does not damage the MTJ structure.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.